Earlier this month, Direct Relief’s COO, Craig Redmond, and I had the opportunity to spend time with the Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue team as part of a “Search and Rescue for a Day” experience. The day took us high into the mountains above Santa Barbara and offered a firsthand look at the remarkable work these teams do to keep people safe in some of the most challenging environments. Search and Rescue, or SAR, teams are called upon to help others in often life-threatening situations. In Santa Barbara County, where Direct Relief is based, the SAR team responds to everything from rescuing a lost hiker in rugged terrain to supporting evacuation efforts during major wildfires or other emergencies. Remarkably, these Search and Rescue team members are volunteers, deploying at all hours of the day or night, often purchasing their own rescue gear. Many of them also manage day jobs and full lives.…